The Puffin Foundation is a private foundation that gives grants to left-of-center and arts-focused nonprofits. The Puffin Foundation was launched in 1983 by Perry Rosenstein. ¹ The foundation primarily donates to apolitical charity groups, although its advocacy-related philanthropy has supported environmental and conservation groups in the Northeastern United States. The foundation has a sister organization called the Puffin Foundation West, which is based in Columbus, Ohio, and gives grants in the Southern and Midwestern United States. ²

Funding

The Puffin Foundation has given the most funds to the following five organizations: the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts New Hampshire at $316,668 (2012-2016), the Vinalhaven Land Trust at $150,000 (2012-2014), the North Bennet Street School at $112,000 (2012-2014 and 2016), the Land Trust Alliance at $100,000 (2014-2016), and the North Haven Sustainable Housing (2015-2016). ³

Activities

In May 2024, the Puffin Foundation and TYPE Media Center held an event in New York City to discuss obstacles in increasing the youth vote in the city and how to address them. The event was attended by members of several advocacy groups including HeadCount, 18by Vote, and the New York Public Interest Research Group. ⁴

Leadership

Perry Rosenstein is the founder and president of the Puffin Foundation, which he launched with the funds he made in the fastener manufacturing industry. ¹ He also founded the Teaneck Creek Conservancy in 2001 and is the husband of executive director Gladys Miller-Rosenstein. ¹

Gladys Miller-Rosenstein is the executive director of the Puffin Foundation and oversees the in-house project the Puffin Cultural Forum. ⁵

Neal Rosenstein is the vice president of the Puffin Foundation’s board of directors and son of Perry and Gladys Rosenstein. ⁶ Neal Rosenstein frequently consults for the New York Public Interest Research Group on its electoral reform advocacy. ⁶ He is also the board treasurer of the Teaneck Creek Conservancy. ⁶

Peter N. Carroll is a special consultant to the Puffin Foundation and is chair emeritus for the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives. ⁶

Ilene Richman is a special advisor to the Puffin Foundation’s board of directors, and has been the executive director of the Association of Fertility Awareness Professionals since 2014. ⁶

1. Melissa. “Perry Rosenstein.” Puffin People. Accessed August 12, 2019. http://www.puffinfoundation.org/component/content/article/916-puffin-people-perry.html.
2. “Mission Statement.” Puffin Foundation West, Ltd. June 05, 2019. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://puffinwest.org/mission-statement/.
3. Information Provided by FoundationSearch. Puffin Foundation. Accessed, 2019. www.FoundationSearch.com  
4. Gueye, Aminata and Nikole Rajgor. “Youth Voter Turnout in NYC Is Struggling. These Organizations Want to Fix It.” The Nation, August 30, 2024. https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/voter-turnout-nyc-youth-2024/.
5. Melissa. “Gladys Miller-Rosenstein.” Puffin People. Accessed August 12, 2019. http://www.puffinfoundation.org/component/content/article/917.html.
6. Melissa. “Puffin People.” Puffin People. Accessed August 12, 2019. http://www.puffinfoundation.org/about-us/puffin-people.html.